Intelligent information system for production grinding

A conceptual framework for Intelligent Information System to aid effective and efficient decision making in Production Grinding (IISPG) was designed and developed. The implementation of IISPG involved six major modules, which were as follows: (1) Prolog based system (PBS); (2) Sensor based information; (3) Optimization; (4) Economic justification; (5) Grinding cycle; and (6) PCPlus. Each module employed a unique approach for decision making related to its functional area.;The PBS module implemented intelligent decision making through design and development of query and information bases. The query bases addressed various types of grinding related problems (such as initial setup, diagnosis), and the information bases were developed based on specific nature of grinding problem (such as, grinding wheel, cutting fluid). The sensor based information module incorporated actual process behavior in decision making, by using the feed and power plots from a grinding cycle monitor. The optimization module overlays qualitative and quantitative optimization as an essential part of intelligent decision making for all modules. It carried out problem formulation to aid quantitative optimization. The economic justification module incorporated a comprehensive methodology to aid economic decision making for strategic and tactical type investments. The grinding cycle module assessed the production grinding variables based on machine tool stiffness, production, and product quality constraints. The PCPLus module addressed IF-THEN form of reasoning for specific areas of grinding.;Following the development of IISPG and selected prototype implementation of several of its modules, the task of systems integration for IISPG was addressed. In particular, the systems integration consisted of two parts: (1) Overall integration for decision making function of IISPG; and (2) An extension of IISPG to aid the micro process planning activity for production grinding. Numerous case studies have been used to illustrate the actual working of IISPG and its six modules.;In conclusion, a long term objective of this research was to originate an intelligent information system framework, that can be applied through subsequent research activities to all manufacturing systems.